The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island maintains a relationship of equivalency with the other 32 adjudicatory Regions related to the American Baptist Churches USA. Within this relationship a Recognition of Ordination by any judicatory Region is accepted by every other Region, thus, a Regional Recognition functions as a National Recognition. Recognition of Ordination by the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island is administered by the Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry. The following is a brief overview of the standards they follow in guiding candidates through the recognition process. For a complete copy of the Policies and Procedures of the Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry please click here.

There are Three Tracks toward Ordination Recognition. Requirements common to all tracks include: 1) A valid preordination license from an American Baptist Church in Rhode Island 2) An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution 3) Sponsorship from a cooperating American Baptist Church in Rhode Island of which the candidate is a member 4) Completion of a graduate level course in Baptist polity, history, and theology 5) A written response to the Identity Statement of American Baptists (1998) 6) A signed affirmation of the Covenant and Code of Ethics of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches 7) Completion of a comprehensive career and candidacy assessment program sponsored by or in consultation with an American Baptist Career Development Center within five years prior to examination by the Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry 8) Completion of Ministerial Ethics/Healthy Boundaries Training approved by the Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry within five years prior to the examination by the committee 9) Presentation of a written statement concerning a) Christian experience b) Call to ministry c) Doctrinal understandings including: i. The Triune God, including specific statements concerning each person of the Trinity ii. The Bible iii. Sin and Salvation iv. The Church v. The Ordinances vi. Baptist PolityThe standards unique to each Recognition Track concern educational and experiential preparation are as follows:

TRACK 1 A Master of Divinity degree from a regionally or nationally accredited school

TRACK 2 A combination of graduate level education and ministerial experience which amounts to the equivalency of a 3 year Master of Divinity, where 3 years of ministerial experience will be recognized as equivalent of 1 year of graduate level study. A maximum of 6 years of experience may be applied within this Track. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate competency in the follow areas of ministry: Hebrew Scriptures New Testament Pre and Post Reformation Church History Christian Theology Worship Pastoral Care Evangelism Community Ministry Family Systems Theory and Church Dynamics Transformational Leadership Spiritual Formation

TRACK 3 Completion of 10 years of ministry experience with at least 3 of those years in a church in cooperation with the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island. Demonstration of competency in the following areas of ministry: Hebrew Scriptures New Testament Pre and Post Reformation Church History Christian Theology Worship Pastoral Care Evangelism Community Ministry Family Systems Theory and Church Dynamics Transformational Leadership Spiritual Formation

1. The request for Recognition of Ordination must come from a congregation affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island.

2. The candidate will provide documentation of: a. Ordination and good standing within their previous denomination with indication that the ordination was affirmed by an ordination council comparable to the Ordination Council of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, b. Educational background, c. Reason for requesting standing within by the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, and d. Evidence of completion of a Ministerial Ethics/Boundaries Training course with the previous 5 years.

3. The candidate will be interviewed by the Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry. The interview will include questions concerning Christian conversion and identity, Call to Ministry, Biblical and Theological convictions (including Baptist history, polity, structure and function) Pastoral competence, Character (including ministerial ethics and spiritual disciplines), and their Commitment to and support of denominational relationships and ministries of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and the American Baptist Churches USA.

4. The candidate must complete an approved course on Baptist Polity.

5. The candidate will provide a written response to the Identity Statement of American Baptists (1998).

6. The candidate must affirm their acceptance of the Covenant and Code of Ethics of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches.

7. Upon completion of the above requirements, the Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry shall vote whether or not to grant ministerial standing in the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island.